2019 Edmonton Oilers Odds to win Stanley Cup with Expert Predictions

No matter where you grew up, there is that place not too far away from there that you don't like. You know, the rival city. The one where everyone is in-bred, and the libraries don't need books because no one can read. You just plain hate those guys and everything about them. Being born and raised in Calgary, that city for me is Edmonton. They are just the worst. I reached the height of hockey fandom for the first time in the early 1980s, which was a rough time around here because Wayne Gretzky and company were unbeatable. But right now, and for a long time now, hating Edmonton in general, and the Oilers in particular, is both easy and fun. There has not been a more incompetently run organization in the league for the last decade or one that has wasted more top-level talent.

And while this year isn't set up to be a total disaster, it's not going to be a great year, either. They would need a bit of a miracle to even be relevant in the playoff race. And even if they made the playoffs, it is doubtful that they would have what it takes to do any damage. I have laughed so much at their futility that at this point my throat is perpetually sore. But the laughing won't have to end just yet.

Edmonton Oilers Offseason Moves

The first big order of business was finding a new GM. The team had fired the stunningly incompetent Peter Chiarelli in January, but it wasn't until June that they tabbed Ken Holland, who had been running things in Detroit since before skates were invented, to run the team. Holland is an upgrade over Chiarelli because literally anyone would be, but it's not like he left the Red Wings in great shape, so his success is far from guaranteed.

Next up was a new head coach. After Todd McLellan was fired midseason last year, and Ken Hitchcock ran things on an interim basis, the team was in the market for their ninth head coach in a decade. And the next man up is Dave Tippett. The veteran coach won the Jack Adams as coach of the year once, but his last five seasons in Arizona were a long way from impressive.

Holland was busy moving pieces around. The move that got the most attention was a trade of anchor contracts between the heated rivals in Calgary and Edmonton. The Oilers had an untradeable contract with Milan Lucic, and the Flames had an untradeable deal with James Neal. So, the teams swapped problems. Many outsiders have said that the Oilers won the deal. I watched a whole lot of Neal last year, though, and it would be impossible to overstate how awful he was. He'll get a chance as a top six forward in Edmonton, but he had that chance in Calgary and wasn't nearly fast enough or engaged enough. Needless to say, I'm not as optimistic as many are.

Another offensive addition is Joakim Nygard, a longtime Swedish Hockey League star who signed with the Oilers as a free agent for one year. And they added Markus Granlund as another depth option up front. They also made a move in net. Cam Talbot didn't work out as the starter, and he was dealt to Philadelphia at the deadline last year. He's now in Calgary, taking over for Mike Smith, who joined the Oilers in free agency. He was a long way from consistent last year. And paired with Mikko Koskinen, he makes up one of the least inspiring duos in the league.

With the eighth overall selection, the team took Swedish defenseman Philip Broberg. He was a bit of a stretch, as there were two higher-rated defensemen still on the board, but it's not a disaster. It's also not a pick that will pay off in any hurry.

Edmonton Oilers NHL Outlook

Last year, Connor McDavid had 116 points. Leon Draisaitl had 105. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had 69. And no one else had more than 38 points. There are some teams that are top heavy in this league, but nothing else quite like this. And despite adding some pieces this summer, they still have not done nearly enough to address this problem. And they haven't done enough to shape up the defense that is just not good enough for this league. And the goaltending is far from a lock, either. So, what I'm saying is that aside from three top players, this team just isn't very good. And that's not good - at least not if you like the Oilers. I'm good with it.

Edmonton Oilers Schedule

There is no such thing as a must-win game in October in the NHL. But the first two games for the Oilers are as close as you can get. They open at home against Vancouver and the Kings. Both are divisional rivals, and neither are any good. If the Oilers can't sweep those two games, it will be really tough to have any real faith in them at all.

Edmonton Oilers NHL Futures Odds

The Oilers are at +4000 to win the Stanley Cup , which ties them with Vancouver, and puts them ahead of just six teams. They are tied with Vancouver as the 12th choice to win the Western Conference at +2000 and are the fifth choice to win the top-heavy Pacific Division at +1000. The season point total sits at 85.5, with no edge to the "over" or the "under" at this point. They are at +170 to make the playoffs and -200 to miss them.

2019-20 Edmonton Oilers Predictions

Needless to say, I am just not optimistic about this team. I don't see how they are a playoff team. Frankly, I don't see how Connor McDavid makes it through another year of this without having his head explode. I like the under on the season point total . And I'd bet that they won't make the playoffs - even at this price. Let me leave you with one assurance -- my general contempt for this team goes far beyond my hatred of their city. They just aren't any good and aren't built to win in this league. And when you have the best player on the planet on your team, it's tough to consistently be this non-threatening.

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